Building greener branches
In the fall of 2010, ACU received LEED Silver designation for the construction of our branch at Pembina Highway and Bairdmore. The construction of our newest branch included an intentional, comprehensive, sustainable design strategy which was recognized and designated Silver under the Canada Green Building Council’s LEED® Canada-NC 1.0 for New Construction.
With this recognition, our newest branch has been recognized as one of Winnipeg’s most energy-efficient buildings. In fact we are one of only six buildings in the city that are LEED certified. Only three financial institutions in the province — all credit unions — have achieved a LEED designation
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED is a comprehensive, voluntary, market-driven, green-building rating system that provides a clear benchmark for what constitutes ‘a green building’. It uses a whole building perspective and evaluates a number of ecological and human health issues.
LEED recognizes organizations that integrate healthy, high-quality and high-performance systems and materials into the design, construction and operational practices of their buildings. Incorporating principles recommended by the LEED green-building rating system is an important step towards reducing environmental impact and achieving superior economic performance in buildings.
This branch was designed and built using a co-operative integrated design and build-team approach, including:
This Assiniboine Credit Union branch balances environmental responsibility and occupant comfort with the economics of building construction. In an effort to maximize the value of this building and minimize the strain on natural systems, many aspects of the design and construction have exceeded standard expectations.
The LEED rating system evaluates criteria in six major groupings: Sustainable Sites Materials and Resources Water Efficiency Indoor Environmental Quality Energy and Atmosphere Innovation & Design
SUSTAINABLE SITES:
Site Selection and Redevelopment of Contaminated SitesLEED promotes development away from prime agricultural land, forested areas, undeveloped flood plains, habitat for endangered or threatened species, wetlands and public parkland. Rehabilitation of sites damaged by real or perceived environmental contamination is encouraged.
This branch was built on a former gas station site that required remediation to clean and stabilize soil contaminants.
Alternative TransportationLEED emphasizes the use of public transportation, bicycles, alternative fuel vehicles and carpools as well as encouraging a reduction in parking spaces to reduce reliance on automobiles and their related environmental impacts.
Our site is located close to several bus routes, and we provide secure bicycle storage for staff and members. Employee showers and change rooms further encourage staff to cycle or walk to work. The parking lot is a no-idle zone, and two unique walk-up exterior ATMs replace the standard drive-thru ATM and associated idling vehicles.
Reduced Site DisturbanceLEED encourages the conservation of natural areas and the restoration of damaged habitat to protect and enhance biodiversity. This includes the reduction of a building’s footprint and parking areas.
We preserved an open area equal to or greater than the building footprint or square footage. Manitoba native plants such as Big Blue Stem Grass (Andropogon gerardii), Manitoba Maple (Acer negundo) and Trembling Aspen (Populus tremuloides) provide habitat for wildlife (small mammals, birds, insects) and help promote biodiversity. Native/adaptive seed mixes replace the more common non-native grass lawn.
Storm Water ManagementLEED focuses on reducing the quantity and improving the quality of storm water discharged from the site. An effective storm water management plan can reduce the impact of large areas of hard surfaces, like concrete, on local water bodies. LEED requires a 25% decrease in imperviousness over the previous existing site conditions. LEED also requires treatment of discharged storm water that removes 80% of the average annual total of suspended solids and 40% of the average annual total phosphorous.
Our storm water management plan has two elements. The first minimizes solid areas such as concrete and asphalt while increasing the amount of vegetation on site. Our open area is equal to or greater than our building. The use of native plants also increases on-site infiltration and decreases the amount of storm water runoff compared to the more common grass lawn.
The second element is the collection system. Rainwater that falls onto the building’s roof is collected and stored in a 7,570 litre (2,000 gallons) in-ground storage tank next to the building. The building’s sump pump also discharges into this holding tank. The stored water is used to irrigate the surrounding landscape, thus eliminating the use of treated water for irrigation.
Heat Island Effect, RoofLEED seeks to limit the amount of heat absorbed by dark roof surfaces. Heat absorption raises the temperature of a city as a whole and increases the energy consumed for cooling.
We installed a light-coloured reflective metal roof to moderate the year-round indoor climate and reduce air conditioning costs.
Light Pollution ReductionLEED follows established standards and guidelines for outdoor light levels at night in an attempt to reduce the amount of stray light emitted into the night sky.
Our exterior lighting was designed to focus light downward onto public areas and reduce the amount of light sent upward into the night sky.
WATER EFFICIENCY:
Water Efficient LandscapingLEED recommends storing storm water as a substitute for potable water in irrigation, and incorporating hardy native plants that do not require heavy watering.
Our rainwater collection and efficient irrigation systems eliminate the use of treated, drinkable water for irrigation. Our roof and sump pump direct water into an underground cistern for additional irrigation.
Precipitation falling directly on the landscape as well as irrigation from the cistern provides sufficient water for the many native plants on our site.
Water Use ReductionLEED targets the reduction of water use by 30% or more. Water conservation measures focus on low flush toilets and water-efficient fixtures.
Low-consumption plumbing fixtures for showers, taps and toilets, as well as waterless urinals, reduce our water consumption by 50%. In addition to saving over 70,000 litres of water annually, these fixtures are expected to provide a cost savings of more than $200 per year.
In addition, this project aims for exemplary Water Use Reduction by reducing its water consumption by 50%.
ENERGY AND ATMOSPHERE:
Building SystemsLEED requires the use of a comprehensive commissioning plan to ensure that a building’s mechanical and electrical systems are installed and operating as intended so that energy savings are realized.
We employed an exhaustive commissioning plan to ensure our mechanical and other systems function properly, and that every possible energy-saving opportunity was identified and incorporated.
Optimize Energy PerformanceLEED encourages building designs that promote less energy consumption. LEED credits are earned based on energy consumption reduction in 5% increments up to 60% for new buildings. We incorporated a comprehensive energy-conservation program to increase the energy efficiency of the building. Our targeted energy savings is a minimum of 40% better than a building constructed to the conventional building code (Model National Energy Code for Buildings). These features include efficient windows, high levels of insulation in the walls and roof, efficient light fixtures, and highly efficient mechanical systems including ground source heat pumps, exhaust air heat recovery and a SolarWall®. The SolarWall® uses solar energy to preheat ventilation air. Together, these features reduce operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
Ozone ProtectionLEED encourages the use of refrigerants that do not contain CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), HCFCs (hydro chlorofluorocarbons) or other ozone-depleting chemicals.
Our mechanical and refrigeration systems are free of both CFCs and HCFCs.
MATERIALS AND RESOURCES:
Storage and Collection of RecyclablesLEED requires the reduction of solid waste throughout the construction and operation phase of the building. Paper, glass, plastics and metal recycling programs are a minimum objective. An area for the storage and collection of recyclables is a requirement of the building’s design.
During the construction phase, materials were recycled and reused. ACU’s recycling program provides recycling bins for staff plus a designated area for the collection and storage of recycling to help reduce the negative impacts of consumption. ACU goes beyond the minimum LEED recycling requirements through our e-waste recycling and re-use program for outdated electronics.
Construction Waste ManagementLEED targets a reduction in material sent to landfills and redirects recyclable material back into the manufacturing process. Credits for construction waste management are rewarded for a reduction of 50% or 75% of waste by weight.
Demolition and new construction has the potential to produce hundreds of tonnes of waste. Our construction waste management plan targeted at least a 75% diversion of construction and demolition debris from landfill disposal. Simply by crushing and recycling concrete and asphalt from the site demolition process, over 200 tonnes of waste from the demolition phase alone was diverted from landfill.
Recycled ContentLEED encourages the use of recycled building materials. LEED credits are earned for including products with post-consumer and pre-consumer recycled content for at least 7.5% or 15% of the total value of the materials in the project.
We made a concerted effort to use a minimum of 7.5% recycled content building materials such as steel, metal roofing, the Solar- Wall®, insulation, carpet, ceiling tiles and concrete. Fly-ash, a by-product of coal fired power plants, replaced a portion of the cement used in the building’s concrete. It also reduces carbon emissions compared to regular concrete.
Local and Regional MaterialsLEED promotes the purchase and use of local materials that are extracted, processed and manufactured within 800 km of the site (or 2,400 km if shipped by rail or water) to reduce the environmental impacts of transportation. Targeted levels of 10% and 20% of local and regional materials earn LEED credits.
To reduce the energy associated with shipping materials, this branch used a minimum of 10% of materials that are partly or completely extracted, processed and manufactured locally such as concrete, asphalt and landscape plants.
INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY:
Carbon Dioxide MonitoringLEED encourages the incorporation of monitoring equipment into mechanical systems to increase the flow of outside air into the building when carbon dioxide levels rise. This improves air quality as well as the comfort and productivity of building occupants.
The branch’s ventilation system includes sensors that balance carbon dioxide levels and fresh air demands to create an optimal indoor environment.
Indoor Comfort ControlLEED emphasizes a high level of occupant control over light, heat and ventilation levels to enhance comfort and promote productivity.
We have dedicated zones for temperature and ventilation control in each area of the branch. Carbon dioxide sensors adjust ventilation rates depending on demands on the space. Operable windows increase comfort and provide natural cooling. Individual lighting controls, dimmers and occupancy sensors allow for the fine tuning of lighting levels and help save energy.
Indoor Air QualityLEED promotes the development of a construction Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) management plan that uses alternatives to typical construction methods and materials that negatively affect indoor air quality.
Our IAQ Management Plan implemented initiatives such as housekeeping to control dust, storing absorptive materials away from VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) emitting materials, using low VOC building materials including adhesives and paints, and covering ventilation ducts to prevent contamination during construction.
Low Emitting Materials and Indoor Pollutant ControlLEED encourages the control of potential indoor air pollutants at their source. This includes installing air filtration, permanent entry systems and minimizing use of building materials such as adhesives, sealants, paints, carpets and composite wood products that emit a variety of chemical vapours for a considerable time after installation.
We selected carpets, composite wood products, adhesives, sealants, and paints that meet stringent standards for low VOC emissions. Our concrete floor is easy to clean, durable and saves on heating and cooling costs by absorbing heat during the day and emitting it at night. Entryway grills capture dirt and debris at the public entrance. High efficiency air filters are also installed to maintain clean indoor air.
The credit union is also mindful of the environmental impacts of day to day maintenance at the branch. This includes hiring a cleaning company that uses environmentally sensitive cleaning supplies.
Daylighting and ViewsLEED promotes maximizing views and natural light in interior spaces, which serves to enhance the quality of light, provide a connection to outdoor spaces for building occupants and reduce the energy demands of artificial lighting.
The branch provides views in over 90% of all regularly occupied spaces. Daylight is maximized within the building’s interior through the use of clerestory windows. Dimmers are provided in offices to lower or turn off unnecessary lighting when daylight levels are sufficient.
INNOVATION AND DESIGN PROCESS:
Design Innovation and LEED Accredited ProfessionalsLEED encourages exemplary performance and innovative approaches in the design, construction and operation of green buildings. LEED also encourages those involved in the design and construction of buildings to become LEED Accredited Professionals with a good understanding of sustainable building principles and the LEED rating system.
Assiniboine Credit Union promotes the principles of sustainable design through example and by providing a learning ground for others. By incorporating several cost-effective green building features into our Fort Richmond branch, opening our branch to others who want to learn about green-building design, and sharing our experiences with others, we provide a model of what is possible and help to influence future construction/renovation projects to achieve a more sustainable future.
